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PH is not contagious, and is not transmitted from one person to another. Thus, PH cannot be “caught” from another person or patient with PH.

However, infections can cause certain types of PH. These infections themselves can spread between people (also known as contagious). In a patient who is exposed to one of these infections and falls ill, there is a risk of also developing PH. These infections include:

  • Infection with HIV, the virus which causes AIDS; HIV infection can lead to PAH
  • Infection with hepatitis viruses B and C, which can lead to chronic liver disease, including chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis; cirrhosis can lead to PAH